Once October 15 rolls around, visitors should be able to travel to Hawaii without quarantine. That so long as they take a test within 72 hours of travel. Great news. But what will flights look like, which ones will be operating and what will they cost? Airlines are waiting to feel confident that reopening is really happening this time, before starting Hawaii deals. Some hotels too are waiting. Here are the answers to your questions about what to expect.
Will flight choices be different, given less than typical demand?
We can’t say how this will shake out quite yet. The airlines definitely want to return to a full Hawaii flight schedule as soon as demand indicates. That’s especially true for the three Hawaii centric carriers, Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. But will they all be able to retain their pre-COVID Hawaii flight schedule? We’ll be updating you on this as things progress.
Are the cheapest cities where these three carriers compete?
Yes, definitely. The Hawaii gateway cities that offer Southwest Hawaii flights, in addition to Alaska and Hawaiian flights, will be the cheapest in the late 2020 to spring 2021 period.
What will the cost of Hawaii flights be from late 2020 to spring 2021?
West Coast gateway cities will see fares in the $99 to $129 range, each way. That won’t be the fare every day, but we will see those reoccur a lot, for all but peak holiday periods and weekends. We wouldn’t be surprised to see some fares even sneak in somewhat below $99.
As is always the case, the cost varies by departure city. For the most part, U.S. west coast cities with the greatest Hawaii traffic, nonstop flights, and most airline choices will have the cheapest fares.
Those cheap Hawaii airfares may be for basic economy, or may be for regular full-fare economy, we can’t say quite yet. The thinking here is that where Southwest competes with a non-basic economy product, it may drive the other airlines to offer lower regular-economy fares as well.
Just Updated Guide | Basic Economy to Hawaii
The best prices are generally for midweek, non-peak travel, whereas weekend travel may be $50 to $100 more each way. Saturday is in nearly all cases the most desirable and expensive day to fly and should be avoided for that reason. Summer 2021 flights from the west coast should also see sale prices starting at below $200 each way.
Flying from the West Coast from $99 or even less.
San Diego, San Jose, Oakland, and Sacramento benefit most from having Southwest in addition to the other airlines. Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, Portland, and Seattle are different. Competition there comes from the legacy airlines, but those cities will also have fare sales.
Flying from the Midwest and East Coast from $162.
Expect Hawaii airfares from these locations to be from $100 to $150 more each way, compared with the west coast. And, weekend flights on those routes can be $50 to $100 more than midweek, with Saturday still being the most expensive day to fly. However, just yesterday, there were full-fare economy airfares of $162 each way between Minneapolis and all islands on American. That was for January through March travel. That gives you some idea of how low the airlines are thinking they’ll go to get us back in the air between the mainland and Hawaii again.
Flight duration and stops en route affect cost.
Airlines charge more as the flight duration decreases. If you have a layover on the way, it can save money. The longer the layover, typically the lower the price. You should check this when booking Hawaii flights to avoid any unwanted stopovers.
We welcome your comments and questions.
Beat of Hawaii © photo at Kokee State Park Kauai
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Hello, would you advise to wait for some late summer deals as well (late August 21)? Currently it is possible to buy via United for around 400$ return from San Francisco, but it is still a long time away. Is it possible to expect deals for around 100$ one way from SFO or Oakland for this time period, thank you, Robert
Hi Robert.
Yes it is entirely possible that there will be more $99 airfares for that time period. Not SFO, but Oakland.
Aloha.
When does the 72 hours begin on the last leg of your flight. Example 9:05 a.m. flight out of DFW. arrive at OFF 2:30 p.m.
Thank you
Just checked on our confirmed flights for October 15th on Hawaiian Airlines from SFO to OGG non-stop. Hawaiian Airlines shows “No flights” on October 15th. No flights?? And after that date, there are no non-stop flights form SFO to OGG. All flights connect through HNL……The frustration continues.
any information available relative to Canadians flying out of Vancouver as to flights and of course the Covid testing — as well what will it look like for tourists arriving — will restaurants/bars/beaches etc be open or will there be restrictions on where you can go and what you can do — any information is appreciated.
thanks Don
Hi Don.
We’ll be updating on what will and won’t be open as we get a little closer. Also hope to have more information on any changes regarding international arrivals.
Aloha.
Lots of talk about airfares but no talk about what conditions will be like for visitors to Hawaii as to what’s actually open and will masks still be required. Getting to Hawaii is hardly the issue anymore. What you might have to endure once you get there is!
Aloha,
Many thanks for all of the information you provide. It is so valuable.
A question about once we get there: are there restrictions on beach access?
~ C
Hi C.
Doubtful there will be any restrictions on beach access. We’ll be updating continuously as information is available.
Aloha.
That seems confusing as I understood that here on Oahu we are going to be restricted to 5 in our group for AT LEAST the next 60 days and that’s only if we continue to keep our cases of COVID trickling downward. If families of over 5 travel here, I believe they would be subject to a fine, no?
Hello! You mentioned that some hotels are waiting to open. I want people to know that we have had our reservations at Love Hawaii Villas for months and will be arriving ON October 15th!
We are super excited and are grateful that Love Hawaii Villas is open and welcoming guests to their resort property. We have not stayed there before and are really looking forward to staying at this beautiful (from the pictures) property. The staff has been extremely helpful during the pandemic as we have had to make many changes to our reservation due to Hawaii being closed.
Just want your readers to know that there are properties open and ready to welcome visitors! Maybe you can share some others that you know of that are open? Now we just need to find out if any Luau’s will open before 11/1. If you have any recommendations that would be very helpful.
Hope you all have a great day!
Hi Jeanine.
Thanks.
Aloha.
My sister just booked her November 3rd, direct from San Diego to Lihue, Alaska, $120. She has both CVS and Kaiser available. Dr. Green clarified yesterday, 72 hrs before departure. Can’t wait to see her♡ Thank you for all your updates.
Hi Jacquelyn.
Thanks. The information about whether 72 hours is from departure or before arrival is still conflicted according to the state website.
Aloha.
Please update us as to when the 72 hr time frame is, from departure or arrival time.
Also exact tests that are approved, where you can get them & documentation required to prove negative results?
If you receive results after depart & it’s positive what are your options?
Thank you for your updates & helpful Information
Hi Diane.
We look forward to updating you on that as soon as we have more information from the state.
Aloha.
Longer flight time, may decrease price, but could impact the validity of tests If close to the 72 hour cutoff. I’d sure hate to cut it close, then spend a lengthy time on the taxi way. Fingers crossed for our planned 11/1 arrival
Just priced fares from PHX to KOA for next summer. No deals there :0( Dollars/miles pricing on Hawaiian is way UP. Miles are double and pricing is about 30-40% more than last winter. No deals there. Regular tickets are up 30% from what we priced last winter. Not everyone can travel midweek.
I think everyone, in every way, will be trying to recoup their losses over this mess. We, the vacationers will Pay the Piper. There may be deals on airfare from the West Coast and other places, but doubt there will be matching hotel deals or car deals. Car rental is up as well. We have a car booked and have had for some times, but pricing is a third higher than last winter. Would hate to see what ‘last minute’ car rental would be.
We shall see how it all plays out. Thanks for the updates.
Hi Colleen.
It won’t be time to look for summer 2021 deals for months. Earliest is probably February and maybe later. Phoenix will have good pricing intermittently. While travel companies need to recoup unprecedented losses, first comes getting the tourism machine running, and that will unquestionably mean deals on airfare and accommodations. Car rentals shouldn’t be horrible either.
Aloha.
Thank you. We will continue to check fares as time goes on. Hoping for next summer. Still very hesitant about SWA and Max 8 – so will stick with Hawaiian.
Previously the Gov. said the airlines may be doing some testing. I would like to see that addressed, because personally I just do not see that happening. Why in the world would any airline want to get involved with that, plus doing so would mean the FAA would be involved, and they cannot keep someone from getting on an airplane regardless of the test results. All the previous reversals in opening dates, the uncertainty of on time test results from the supposed partners (CVS, Kaiser, etc.) , the loophole announced yesterday that people with kids under 12 will still need to quarantine because the partners won’t test kids under 12 and the governor saying people should not expect the attractions and activities to be open or the same as they were as of last January all lead me to believe that for the majority of the people who travel to Hawaii on a regular basis, this is going to be a really tough sell. I just don’t see enough definitive statements regarding the rules and regulations to make me feel like risking the money and effort this kind of trip requires.